TV STAR says
"eliminate pesticides"
Dr Quinn Medicine Woman's Seymour wants parents to know the risks
EPA CONDEMNED PESTICIDES STILL ON STORE SHELVES;
March 7, 2001
From a press release
NEW YORK -- Actress Jane Seymour announced today that she is
spearheading a national campaign to alert parents to the potential
health risks children face from exposure to potentially dangerous
pesticides.
The campaign - Care for Kids - includes as partners a leading family
organization and experts in the field of pesticide management. The
program will teach millions of parents about the steps they can take
to protect their children from potentially dangerous pesticides.
Materials will be distributed through the YWCA of the City of New
York and its national childcare network.
"I've been involved with children's issues for years," said Seymour,
mother of six, including five-year-old twin boys, "I am alarmed that
millions and millions of gallons of pesticides are sold and used
every spring in homes, schools and childcare centers, putting our
children at risk. Today we are saying to parents, `not this spring,'
do something different. And we are providing tools to help them."
| (though they were recently banned) "Chlorpyrifos can be sold until the end of 2001, Diazinon until 2004." |
Why Pesticides Now?
According to a recent study, nine out of 10 consumers say safety is
their biggest concern when buying pesticides. However, nearly half
say they have not investigated the health and safety of the
pesticides they use and believe they do not have enough information
to feel comfortable making decisions about them (Convergys Survey,
Sept. 2000, 400 interviews). Pesticides made headlines across the
nation this past year with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
condemning and phasing out two popular pesticides for home and garden
use due to the potential health risks they pose, but allowing their
sale through this spring and summer season. These pesticides are
known as organophospates, which include Chlorpyrifos and Diazinon.
Chlorpyrifos can be sold until the end of 2001, Diazinon until 2004.
At least 50 other pesticides are currently under review by the EPA
and other announcements may follow.
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| "
Care for Kids is asking parents to follow the 3E's of Pesticide
Safety -- Educate, Evaluate and Eliminate." |
Reaching Families Across America
"As parents, we want to do everything we can to protect our kids, but there
is an incredible void of simple information to guide parents to better
choices," Seymour said.
The national campaign will reach millions of families this spring through an
easy-to-understand brochure and Web site. The brochures will be distributed
in New York City and across the country through the YWCA-NYC.
"Our goal is to put valuable information in parents' hands where they
make daily decisions about their child's care," said Rae Linefsky,
CEO/executive director of the YWCA-NYC. "We know first-hand the power
of information and the positive impact it can have on families." The
YWCA Child Care Network serves 2.5 million children.
| "The Care for Kids brochure will offer easy checklists for parents to
follow in their home, school or childcare center." |
Care for Kids Action
Care for Kids is asking parents to follow the 3E's of Pesticide
Safety -- Educate, Evaluate and Eliminate. The steps are: Educate
yourself about potential pesticide threats to children. Evaluate your
home, school or child care center. Eliminate dangerous pesticides
from your child's environment and replace them with safer
alternatives as needed.
The Care for Kids brochure will offer easy checklists for parents to
follow in their home, school or childcare center. Further, it will
direct parents to www.careforkidsnow.com, a Web site that will enable
them to learn more about up-to-date information on health, research,
ingredients and products.
Who Cares for Kids
Care for Kids is a partnership of organizations and individuals associated
with children and pesticide management including:
- YWCA - New York City operates childcare centers throughout the city,
serving over 1,200 children, and is part of a national network of
childcare centers that reaches 2.5 million children. Since 1870, the
YWCA-NYC has been a pioneer for political and social change for new
and innovative programs to improve the lives of women and men, girls
and boys, families and communities. see original link here
- Bill Currie has had hands-on experience with all aspects of urban
pest management during his 22 years as a charter member and
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist with the Environmental
Protection Agency. Since leaving EPA, Bill founded the International
Pest Management Institute (IPMI), which provides technology exchange
for urban IPM information including private consulting and training
workshops on IPM for school sites, nursing homes, hospitals and food
manufacturing, handling and commodity storage.
- Dr. Faith Oi works closely with Dr. Phil Koehler inthe Urban
Entomology Program of the Entomology and Nematology Dept. at
University of Florida. Dr. Oi previously held positions at the USDA
and Auburn University, where she developed an extension program in
urban pest management in cooperation with the Alabama pest control
industry and Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Dr. Oi received
her Ph.D. from the University of Florida's Entomology and Nematology
Department.
- Bioganic Safety Brands, Inc., a manufacturer of pesticides made with
select plant oils for use in the home, lawn and garden. Bioganic
discovered a new all natural "active" ingredient that has the killing
power of conventional synthetic insecticides with all the benefits of
the natural botanical insecticides, including no pesticide residue.
See original link here
Care for Kids and its education campaign is funded by donations from
Bioganic Safety Brands, Inc.
Note: A Photo is available
here
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